Archaeologists discover Aristotle’s 2,400-year-old tomb in Macedonia

Archaeologists believe they've found Aristotle's tomb in central Macedonia.

A team of researchers say the 2,400-year-old tomb was excavated as part of a 20-year exploration of ancient Stagira, where the great philosopher was born in 384 BC, reported the Greek newspaper Kathimerini.

The discovery will be formally announced Thursday at an international conference, the "Aristotle 2400 Years" World Congress, held in Thessaloniki.

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Aristotle, who is regarded as the one of the most important thinkers in the history of Western Civilization, died in 322 BC at Chalcis, Evia, and was long believed to have been buried there.

However, archaeologists who are excavating Stagira are now certain the tomb they have found belonged to Aristotle, who ashes may have been transferred there, according to two literary sources.

The tomb is a mounded dome about 32 feet high, with a marble floor dated to the Hellenistic period, reported the Greek Reporter website -- which published several photos taken at the site.

It's located in the center of Stagira, with sweeping 360-degree views, which signifies its importance.

But archaeologists say evidence suggests the tomb was hastily constructed and later finished with higher quality materials.

A pathway leads to the entrance of the tomb, which was destroyed by the Byzantines -- who built a square tower on top of it.

Aristotle, who studied under the great philosopher Plato, is regarded as the first genuine scientist in human history.

He made significant and seminal contributions to biology, physics and zoology, and he also influenced thousands of years of thought in aesthetics, metaphysics, linguistics, government and poetry.

He tutored Alexander the Great, who spread Greek philosophy to Africa and the Middle East.

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